Microsoft: Production efforts with Surface are modest, not our sales

Earlier today, we reported that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was quoted as saying that sales for the company's new Surface tablet were "modest," with the potential of sales picking up when the Surface Pro launches early next year. However, Microsoft says that he was actually referring to the ramping up of Surface production when he said "modest", not sales numbers.

According to a follow-up statement from Microsoft, "Steve’s use of the term “modest” was in relation to the company’s approach in ramping up supply and distribution of Surface with Windows RT." The statement continues by mentioning that while the company's "approach has been modest, Steve notes the reception to the device has been “fantastic”."

We're not sure if Ballmer said something he wasn't supposed to and the public relations team tried to spin the CEO's quote afterward, or if Ballmer just wasn't being clear enough with his words. Either way, Microsoft is sure to clear the air about their Surface tablet and wants to reinforce that sales are doing well.

Ballmer also spent a lot of time focusing on the company's upcoming Surface Pro. From what Ballmer says, it will essentially be a “high end” and “unique” product, which will feature a higher-resolution Full HD display, and will also run the full version of Windows 8, as opposed to the tablet-optimized Windows RT that's currently running on the Surface.